Dr. Joel Nitzkin, with R Street Institute, said, “If we are going to do better in terms of reducing illness, death and addiction from cigarettes and other nicotine products, we need a fundamentally new approach.”

However, others disagreed.

Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, with the American Cancer Society, said, “We do not recommend e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.”

The one thing both sides seemed to agree on is that the industry should be regulated.

However, there are a lot of differences in where the regulation should go.

The American Cancer Society flew Dr. Lichtenfeld, their deputy chief medical officer, in for the hearing.

He says they are not supportive of e-cigarettes but they are also not opposed to the idea.

Lichtenfeld said, “They may be less harmful. They may be effective in tobacco cessation but we don’t yet have the data.”

Jennifer Weisboro was among the many people sitting in on the hearing.

As a vapor shop manager, she is very interested in what happens with the industry in our state.

She said, “It is something you are inhaling into your body and it needs to be safe.”

State lawmakers listened intently, admitting this is an issue which will likely be talked about a lot in the upcoming session.

Sen. Ralph Shortey said, “I’m glad we’re having this study. I’m glad it’s being hashed out. I’m glad both sides can present and I’m glad there’s this kind of interest in it because it does affect a lot of people.”

Lawmakers say there needs to be regulation of the e-cigarette and vapor industry, specifically restricting anyone under the age of 18 from buying the products.

The American Cancer Society says they encourage Oklahoma lawmakers to be careful moving forward on this issue.

They also recommend waiting on some of the regulation until the FDA has had a chance to outline its rules on the issue.